Worksheet: Energy from Fossil Fuels

In this worksheet, we will practice describing the advantages and disadvantages of generating electricity by burning fossil fuels.

Q1:

Which of the following are fossil fuels?

Coal

Uranium

Oil

Natural gas

Plutonium

Ad, c, e

Bc, d, e

Ca, c, d

Da, b, e

Ea, b, c

Q2:

The Monroe Power Plant in Michigan has an installed capacity of
3,280 MW. If it was to
produce this power output constantly for an entire year, how much energy would it produce in
that year? Give your answer in standard form in joules to 3 significant figures. Use a value
of 365 for the number of days in a year.

A1.20×10 J

B63.1×10 J

C1.03×10 J

D2.83×10 J

E2.01×10 J

Q3:

In a gas-fired power station, natural gas is combusted with . The energy released from
this reaction is used to heat water in a boiler to produce . This steam is used to drive
, which are connected to . The electrical output of these generators is transferred to
the national grid.

Acoal, steam, turbines, motors

Boxygen, steam, motors, generators

Chydrogen, steam, turbines, motors

Dcarbon dioxide, steam, turbines, generators

Eoxygen, steam, turbines, generators

Q4:

Which of the following statements correctly describe the disadvantages of generating
electricity from fossil fuels?

All fossil fuels release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere when combusted in power
stations. This carbon dioxide has a significant effect on the global environment and is
causing climate change.

Fossil fuels release very little energy per kilogram of fuel.

Fossil fuels will eventually run out.

Burning coal and oil releases sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere, which is toxic and
causes acid rain.

Aa, b, c

Ba, c, d

Cd, b, c

Dd, b, a

Q5:

Which of the following statements correctly describe the advantages of generating electricity from fossil fuels?

Fossil fuels release no carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, thus not contributing to climate change.

Fossil fuels release no damaging pollutants, such as sulfur dioxide, into the atmosphere.

Fossil fuels release large quantities of energy when combusted and are relatively cheap.

Fossil fuels are a reliable energy source. Electricity production from fossil fuels is not affected by the time of day, the weather, or the season.

Aa and d

Bb and d

Cc and d

Da and b

Ec and a

Q6:

Of the three types of fossil fuel, which two are mainly used in electricity production?

ACrude oil and natural gas

BNatural gas and biomass

CCoal and natural gas

DCoal and crude oil

ECoal and biomass

Q7:

The Robert W. Scherer Power Plant in Georgia in the US is the largest coal-fired power plant there, with an installed capacity of
3,520 MW.
In 2013, electricity demand in the US was
4,110 TWh. If, over the course of
2013,
the Robert W. Scherer Power Plant operated at an average of
50%‎ of its maximum power output, what percent of the United States’ electricity
consumption did the power station supply? Use a value of 365 for the number of
days in a year. Round your answer to 1 decimal place.

Q8:

Which of the three main types of fossil fuel is mainly used in transportation?

ANatural gas

BCoal

COil

Q9:

Coal has an energy density of
24 MJ/kg.
What is the maximum amount of energy that can be released by burning
500 kg of coal?

Q10:

Drax Power Station in northeast England is a coal-fired power station with an installed
capacity of 3,960 MW. If all of this power output comes from burning coal,
what is the minimum amount of coal that must be burnt per second in order
to produce this power output? Use a value of 24 MJ/kg for the energy density of coal.

Q11:

A coal power station burns coal at a rate of 150 kg/s.
Coal has an energy density of 24 MJ/kg.
What is the maximum possible power output of the power station?

Q12:

The Gila River Power Station is the largest gas-fired power station in the US,
with an installed capacity of 2,200 MW.
If the Gila River Power Station was to produce its maximum power output constantly for an entire year,
how much energy would it produce in that year? Give your answer in terawatt - hours to 1 decimal place.
Use a value of 365 for the number of days in a year.